George Washington's Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation (Little Books of Wisdom)

Copied out by hand as a young man aspiring to the status of Gentleman, George Washington's 110 rules were based on a set of rules composed by French Jesuits in 1595. The first English edition of these rules was available in Francis Hawkins' Youths Behavior, or Decency in Conversation Amongst Men, which appeared in 1640, and it is from work that Washington seems to have copied. The rules as Washington wrote them out are a simplified version of this text. However much he may have simplified them, these precepts had a strong influence on Washington, who aimed to always live by them. The rules focus on self-respect and respect for others through details of etiquette. The rules offer pointers on such issues as how to dress, walk, eat in public, and address one's superiors.

• Benjamin Franklin's Book of Virtues
• The Way to Wealth (Little Books of Wisdom)
• Common Sense (Little Books of Wisdom)
• Strenuous Life (Little Books of Wisdom)
• Bill of Rights: with Writings that Formed Its Foundation (Little Books of Wisdom)
• Declaration of Independence (Little Books of Wisdom)
• Constitution of the United States (Little Books of Wisdom)
• Articles of Confederation (Little Books of Wisdom)
• George Washington's Farewell Address (Little Books of Wisdom)
• Gettysburg Address (Little Books of Wisdom)